'This is a telling attack': Zelenskyy responds to Russia's largest air strike on Ukraine
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
Russia launched a record-breaking aerial attack on Ukraine during the night of July 9. The main strike targeted Lutsk in the Volyn region, with damage also reported in 10 other regions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported.
"A new massive Russian attack on our cities. It was the highest number of aerial targets in a single day: 741 targets - 728 drones of various types, including over 300 Shaheds, and 13 missiles - Kinzhals and Iskanders. Most of the targets were shot down," Zelenskyy emphasized.
The President noted that during this attack, Ukrainian interceptor drones were used and downed dozens of targets.
"We are scaling up this technology. Mobile fire groups were also active - they downed dozens as well. I thank all our warriors for their precision," Zelenskyy added.
At the same time, the Ukrainian leader stated that, as of the morning, many regions of Ukraine were still working to eliminate the consequences of the overnight Russian strike.
Zelenskyy highlighted that the main Russian strike targeted Lutsk, but damage was also recorded in the Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv regions.
"This is a telling attack - and it comes precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace, to establish a ceasefire, and yet only Russia continues to rebuff them all. This is yet another proof of the need for sanctions - biting sanctions against oil, which has been fueling Moscow's war machine with money for over three years of the war," Zelenskyy noted.
According to the Ukrainian President, secondary sanctions are also needed against those who buy Russian oil and fund killings.
"Our partners know how to apply pressure in a way that will force Russia to think about ending the war, not launching new strikes. Everyone who wants peace must act," Zelenskyy concluded.
Largest combined attack on Ukraine on July 9
Last night, Russian forces launched a massive combined drone and missile strike on Ukraine. Explosions were heard in Kyiv and several other cities. However, as the President pointed out, the main target was Ukraine's western regions.
In particular, Lutsk suffered its most massive drone and missile attack since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Fires broke out in the city due to the strike.
Kyiv region was also hit, with the Brovary district being one of the targets.
According to Ukraine's Air Force, the enemy used 741 aerial targets, including 728 UAVs.
